National ‘Occupy Our Homes’ Day Kicks Off New Occupy Initiative

Last month the Occupy Oakland movement announced its intention to occupy vacant properties. On Tuesday, Occupy Oakland was one of 25 local Occupy groups to observe a national ""Occupy Our Homes"" day.

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""This Tuesday, thousands will be standing up for their neighbors in a struggle against a system that places financial gain above the human need for shelter,"" said a ""statement"":http://www.occupytogether.org/2011/12/04/national-day-of-action-to-occupy-our-homes/ on the Occupytogether.org website prior to the event.

The statement referred to the trillions of dollars in loans the banks received from the Fed and the billions borrowed from taxpayers through TARP, and went on to say, ""Homeowners take risks when buying homes; however, when they lose their jobs or are unable to afford their medical attention, they don't get bailouts, they lose everything.""

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Several Occupy movements made the first steps to occupy foreclosed homes or homes in the process of foreclosure.

Occupy Atlanta members started their day on courthouse steps in Fulton, Gwinnett, and DeKalb Counties.

""Over 200 Occupy Atlanta protesters descended on the Fulton County courthouse steps with whistles, sirens, drums, and blow-horns and made it as difficult as possible for the auction to continue,"" according to the Occupy Atlanta ""website."":http://occupyatlanta.org/

Protesters then visited the homes of two homeowners facing foreclosure to demonstrate their support and their intention to continue to occupy the homes despite foreclosure actions.

""This is only the beginning of the fight against Foreclosure and lack of housing in America,"" states the Occupy Atlanta website.

Occupy Brooklyn members marched through a Brooklyn neighborhood ""to liberate a foreclosed home,"" according to their ""website."":http://occupybk.org/

Like the Occupy Atlanta movement, Occupy Brooklyn made it clear that this is just the beginning of a new initiative for the movement.

""This action is part of a national kick-off for a new frontier for the occupy movement: the liberation of vacant bank-owned homes for those in need,"" stated a post on the Occupy Brooklyn website.

Krista Franks Brock is a regular contributor to DSNews.com and TheMReport.com. She previously served as managing editor of DS News magazine. Prior to joining DS News, she was managing editor of Southern Distinction, a regional lifestyle magazine based in Athens, Georgia. She is currently a freelance writer and editor for various online and print publications. She holds degrees in journalism and art from the University of Georgia, where she also earned a minor in Spanish.